Apparatus for making topographical models



June 15, 1964 v. GREEN ETAL APPARATUS FOR MAKING TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELSFiled July 2'7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS VIRGIN/A GRE'EJV LI/Ll MJail/V370 ATTORNEYS June 16, 1964 v. GREEN ETAL 3,137,209

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS Filed July 27, 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TORS flea/MIA 625E YZE/M M Jail/V370 MIM ATTORNEYS3,137,209 APPARATUS FUR MAKING TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS Virginia Green and"Leiia M. Johnston, both of 444 Clementine, San Francisco 3, Calif.

Filed July 27, 1961, Ser. No. 127,211 14 (Ilaims. (Cl. 90--13.1)

This invention relates to apparatus for making three dimensional modelsand more specifically to apparatus for making three dimensionaltopographical models from solid masses of material.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for cutting threedimensional topographical models from solid blocks of material.

It is another object of the invention to provide such apparatus formaking such models directly from conventional topographical maps.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide such apparatus ofmaximum accuracy and flexibility whereby a wide variety of such modelsmay be made and the models will be very accurate three dimensionalreplicas of the topographical maps from which they are derived.

- It is a principal object of the invention to provide such apparatus ofmaximum simplicity whereby accurate apparatus may be constructedeconomically and whereby the apparatus will have a minimum number ofprecisionparts which could become defective.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tool for suchapparatus which can be manufactured and sold as a single small precisionunit and used with simple framework for producing such models.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description read in conjunction with the attacheddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the preferred form of apparatus ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation, and partially in section, of the workingportion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of an alternative form of apparatusof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the Working portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional'view of the apparatus 7 of FIG. 3 takenalong the plane 5-5 of FIG. 3 and with the apparatus of FIG. 4 removed.

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred form of theinvention illustrated therein com.-

U ited States Patent 8 prises an upright frame 10 with a generallyhorizontal table 12 supported thereon. The frame 1i is provided with aplurality of apertures 14 therein through which pins 16 extend to permitincremental adjustment of the height of the table. The top of the frame10 is preferably formed of four angle irons 18 joined into a rectangleand into which a work supporting plate may be fitted. A solid mass ofmaterial .20 such as polystyrene foam from which the model is to be madeis mounted on the work supporting plate by suitable means such as cementor screws, with the mass of material 20 depending from the supportingplate above the table 12. A topographical map is photographicallyenlarged or reduced to the desired size of the model and mounted on thetable 12 directly below the mass of material 20. Since the work isformed on the machine in an upside-down position while the mapis'supported rightside up, a reverse print of a conventionaltopographical map should be used.

A working tool shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 rests upon the table 12and is freely movable thereover while sageway therethrough which isinternally threaded. An

ice

externally threaded sleeve 26 is threadedly received in the sleeve 24,and an electric motor 28 is rigidly mounted in the sleeve 26 with thearmature of motor 28 supported for rotation about the axis of sleeve 24.A tool receiving chuck 30 is mounted on the armature of the motor 28,and a rotary cutting tool 32 is mounted on the chuck 30. The chuck 30may form any conventional means for rotatably mounting the tool on themotor, for instance, a conventional drill chuck or a screw in the end ofthe armature shaft, etc. In any event, it is preferred that the tool 32be removable so that different diameter tools canbe used in the devicewhere topographical contour lines of different curvatures are to befollowed.

A triangular plate 34 is mounted on the legs 22 below the motor 28 andcarries a threaded rod 36 secured there to coaxial with the tool 32' bybolts 38. A cylindrical stylus 40 is threadedly received on the rod 36adjacent to the surface of the table 12, and the diameter of the stylus40 is substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical cuttingshape generated by the tool 32 when the motor is'operated. A differentdiameter stylus 40 is providedfor each corresponding dilferent tool 32.

An index arm 42 is mounted on the inner sleeve 26 by a screw 44 andextends over the outer surface of the outer sleeve 24, and a scale ofindicia 46 (see FIG. 1) is stamped in the outer sleeve cooperable withthe index 42 to indicate the relative axial positions of the inner andouter sleeves, thereby denoting the distance of the cutter tool 32 abovethe table 12. The graduations on the scale 46 are preferably placedone-sixteenth of an inch apart and the threads on the sleeves 24 and 26are cut sixteen to the inch. In addition, means are provided for lockingthe inner and outer sleeves 24 and 26 against relative rotation in eightequally spaced rotational positions whereby the cutter head may be movedbetween different positions above the table 12 with the positions spacedas close as A of an inch apart.

The means for locking the sleeves 24 and 26 together comprises eightnotches 48 equally spaced around the periphery of the sleeve 24 and aspring latch 50 mounted on the sleeve 26 by a screw 52 andengageable inthe notches 48 as best seen in FIG. 2. j

A deflector disc 54 may be mounted on the top of the motor 28 by screws56 tokeep shavings away from the threaded sleeves 24 and 26.

In the apparatus of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 m5, the cutting tool32 is mounted in fixed relation to the table 12 with the motor 28 being.non-adjustably mounted on the legs 22 of the .tool carrier.. In thisstructure of the invention, however, rigid peripheral braces 58interconnect the posts of the frame 10, and four jack screws 60adjustably support the angle irons 18 above the braces 58. The jackscrews 60 are rigidly connected to the angle irons 18 and are embracedby the threaded sleeves 62 adjacent to the braces 58, the sleeves 62carrying sprockets 64 which are connected by a chain 66 to drive thejack screws- 60 in synchronization with each other.

A pair of sprockets 68 maintain the chain 66 under tension on a drivesprocket 70, and the drive sprocket 70 is driven by a hand Wheel 72through gears 74.

In operation of the devices of the invention shown above a topographicalmap, such as the map 76 in FIG. 5, is placed on the table 12 immediatelyunder the mass of material 20 from which a model is to be made, and thestylus 40 is moved around one of the contour lines on the map with thecutter tool 32 in engagement with the material 20 and with the stylus 40maintained on the downhill side (outside on a mountain or insidein avalley) of the contour line on the map so that the cutter forms an exactreplica of the line in the material along a plane parallel to the table12. The distance of the amass cutter 32 from the material 20 is thenadjusted by moving the wheel 72 or by disengaging the spring catch 50and moving it around the sleeve 24-. The procedure is then repeated tocut at different levels in the material 2%) corresponding replicas ofthe adjacent contour lines on the map until the desired threedimensional model is obtained. The steps between adjacent lines may thenbe contoured smoothly. In this manner exact models are obtained withmaximum ease. The apparatus with which the models are made is verysimple and dependable and can be constructed at minimum cost whileobtaining a device of extreme accuracy. The preferred structure of FIGS.1 and 2 is particularly advantageous from this standpoint because itemploys a minimum number of precision made parts. The apparatus of FIGS.1 'and 2 is also very advantageous because it can be made and sold as asingle small precision unit which can be used on a relatively simpleframework, as shown in FIG. 1.

While two specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail herein, it is obvious that many modifications of thestructures described may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models whichcomprises a support frame having a table thereon adapted to supporta'reverse print of a topographical map representing the model which isto be made, work holding means on said frame above said table forsupporting above said table a mass of material from which said model isto be made, a tool carrier resting on said table and freely movable overthe surface of said table, power means mounted on said carrier andmovable therewith, a rotary cutting tool connected to said power meansfor rotation about a generally vertical axis with said tool beingmovable over said table with said carrier,- a stylus mounted on saidcarrier adjacent to said table along said axis of rotation of said toolwith both said tool and said stylus positioned between said table andsaid work holding means, and

adjusting means for changing the distance between said cutting tool andsaid work holding means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 characterized further in that said toolgenerates a generally cylindrical cutting shape when it is rotated aboutsaid axis; said stylus is generally circular and mounted coaxially withsaid cutting shape, and the diameter of said stylus is substantiallyequal to the diameter of said cutting shape.

3. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models whichcomprises a support frame having a generally horizontal table thereonadapted to support a reverse print of a topographical map representingthe model which is to be made, work holding means on said frame abovesaid table for supporting above said table a mass of material from whichsaid model is to be made, a tool carrier resting on said table andfreely movable over the surface of said table, an electric motor mountedon said tool carrier and having a tool receiving chuck mounted thereonfor rotation about a generally vertical axis responsive to operation ofsaid motor, a rotary tool received in said chuck and projecting upwardlyfrom said motor and movable over said table with said carrier, said toolgenerating a cylindrical cutting shape responsive to operation of saidmotor, a generally circular stylus mounted on said carrier adjacent tosaid table with said stylus being coaxial with said axis of rotation ofsaid chuck and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter ofsaid cutting shape with both said tool and said stylus positionedbetween said table and said work.

generally horizontal table thereon adapted to support a reverse print ofa topographical map representing the model which is to be made, workholding means rigidly mounted on said frame above said table forsupporting above said table a mass of material from which said model isto be made, a tool carrier resting on said table and freely movable overthe surface of said table, an electric motor mounted on said toolcarrier and having a tool receiving chuck mounted thereon for rotationabout a generally vertical axis responsive to operation of said motor, arotary tool received in said chuck and projecting upwardly from saidmotor and movable over said table with said carrier, said toolgenerating a cylindrical cutting shape responsive to operation of saidmo tor, a generally circular stylus mounted on said carrier adjacent tosaid table with said stylus being coaxial with said axis of rotation ofsaid chuck and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter ofsaid cutting shape and with both said chuck and said stylus positionedbetween said table and said work holding means, and adjusting meansforming a part of said carrier for changing the distance between saidcutting tool and said table.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 characterized further in that said tool ismounted on said motor in fixed space relation to said motor axiallythereof, and said adjusting means comprises means for moving said motorwith respect to said carrier along a direction generally parallel tosaid axis of rotation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said means for -moving said motorwith respect to said carrier comprises tor against threading rotation insaid sleeve.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 characterized further by the inclusion of anindex member mounted on said motor and extending overa portion of theouter surface of said sleeve, and a scale of'indicia on the outersurface of said sleeve cooperable with said index toindicatethe'relative axial positions of said motor and said sleeve.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 characterized further by the inclusion ofmeans for incrementally adjusting the distance between said table andwork holding means.

9. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models whichcomprises a support frame having a generally horizontal table thereonadapted to support a reverse print of a topographical map representingthe model which is to be made, work holding means for supporting independing relation therefrom a mass of material from which said model isto be made, adjustable support means mounting said work holding means onsaid frame above said table for adjustment of the distance of said workholding means above said table, a tool carrier resting on said table andfreely movable over the surface of said table, an electric motor rigidlymounted on said carrier and having a tool receiving chuck mountedthereon for rotation about a generally vertical axis responsive tooperation of said motor, a rotary cutting tool received in said chuckand projecting upwardly from said motor and movable over said table withsaid carrier, said tool generating a cylindrical cutting shaperesponsive to operation of said motor, and a generally circular stylusmounted on said carrier adjacent to said table with saidstylus beingcoaxial with said axis of rotation of said chuck and having a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter of said cutting shape and with bothsaid stylus and said tool positioned between said table and said workholding means.

holding means, and adjusting means for changing the V distance betweensaid cutting tool and said work holding means. a p

4. Apparatus for making three dimensional topographical models whichcomprises a support frame having a models which comprises a frame havinga base portion adapted to rest on and be moved freely over a flatsurface, an internally threaded sleeve rigidly mounted on said baseportion and having a central axis generally perpention of said motor,and a generally cylindrical stylus mounted on said frame between saidbase portion and said motor and having a generally circular stylus endadjacent to said base portion with said stylus end being coaxial withsaid axis and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter ofsaid cutting shape.

12. The tool of claim 11 characterized further by the inclusion ofreleasable latching means for locking said motor against rotation insaid sleeve.

13. The tool of claim 12 characterized further by the inclusion of anindex member mounted on said motor and. extending over a portion of theouter surface of said sleeve, and a scale of indicia on the outersurface of said sleeve cooperable with said index to indicate therelative axial positions of said motor and said sleeve.

14. A tool for making three dimensional topographical models whichcomprises a frame having a base portion adapted to rest onand be movedfreely over a flat surface, a body portion mounted on the base portion,a router mounted on said body portion and having a cutting tool thereonfacing away from said base portion with said router positioned forrotating said tool about an axis generally perpendicular to the flatsurface on which said base portion rests, adjustable connecting meansinterconnecting said router and said body for adjustably positioningsaid router at a plurality of difierent posi- 'tions along said axis,and a generally cylindrical stylus mounted on said base portion adjacentto the surface on which said base portion rests with said stylus havinga circular end coaxial with said axis and equal in diameter to thediameter of said tool.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HeiseJan. 30, 1923

1. APPARATUS FOR MAKING THREE DIMENSIONAL TOPOGRAPHICAL MODELS WHICHCOMPRISES A SUPPORT FRAME HAVING A TABLE THEREON ADAPTED TO SUPPORT AREVERSE PRINT OF A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP REPRESENTING THE MODEL WHICH IS TOBE MADE, WORK HOLDING MEANS ON SAID FRAME ABOVE SAID TABLE FORSUPPORTING ABOVE SAID TABLE A MASS OF MATERIAL FROM WHICH SAID MODEL ISTO BE MADE, A TOOL CARRIER RESTING ON SAID TABLE AND FREELY MOVABLE OVERTHE SURFACE OF SAID TABLE, POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER ANDMOVABLE THEREWITH, A ROTARY CUTTING TOOL CONNECTED TO SAID POWER MEANSFOR ROTATION ABOUT A GENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS WITH SAID TOOL BEINGMOVABLE OVER SAID TABLE WITH SAID CARRIER, A STYLUS MOUNTED ON SAIDCARRIER ADJACENT TO SAID TABLE ALONG SAID AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID TOOLWITH BOTH SAID TOOL AND SAID STYLUS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID TABLE ANDSAID WORK HOLDING MEANS, AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CHANGING THE DISTANCEBETWEEN SAID CUTTING TOOL AND SAID WORK HOLDING MEANS.